Trump Calls Himself a 'Tariff Man,' Suggests China Deadline Could Be Extended
President Donald Trump called tariffs "the best way to max out our economic power" but also suggested negotiations with China could be extended beyond the "90 days from the date of our wonderful and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina," in a series of tweets Dec. 4. "President Xi and I want this deal to happen, and it probably will. But if not remember, ...... ....I am a Tariff Man," he said. "We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs. MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN."
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Several senators, even free-trade skeptics, raised an eyebrow at Trump's assertions, during brief hallway interviews at the Capitol. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said that depending on tariffs "is extraordinarily annoying to other nations and generally brings on negative repercussions." Feinstein was a "no" vote on the original NAFTA. "Tariffs can be a tool, but they have to be strategic and focused on getting a result," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who is a fan of the Section 232 tariffs.